U.S. patent application number 13/497656 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-12 for weapon magazine boot.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey D. Anderson, Christopher A. J. Iannello, Martin J. Nilsen.
Application Number | 20120174452 13/497656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43243154 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120174452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Jeffrey D. ; et
al. |
July 12, 2012 |
WEAPON MAGAZINE BOOT
Abstract
A weapon magazine boot for covering the exposed portion of a
weapon magazine provides improved gripping features and reduced
detection when observed through night vision or lowlight
observation systems.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Jeffrey D.;
(Hampshire, IL) ; Nilsen; Martin J.; (Hampshire,
IL) ; Iannello; Christopher A. J.; (Rolling Meadows,
IL) |
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
43243154 |
Appl. No.: |
13/497656 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
September 16, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/49079 |
371 Date: |
March 22, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61245074 |
Sep 23, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/49.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/65 20130101; F41H
3/00 20130101; F41C 23/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/49.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/61 20060101
F41A009/61 |
Claims
1. A weapon magazine boot, comprising: a sleeve configured to
surround at least a portion of a weapon magazine; said sleeve
provided in a size, shape, composition and configuration to be
retained on the weapon magazine during use of the weapon magazine
in a weapon.
2. The weapon magazine boot of claim 1, said sleeve comprising
elastic, stretchable material able to be rolled onto and off of a
weapon magazine.
3. The weapon magazine boot of claim 1, including an end cap having
a base and a wall extending from said base, said sleeve overlapping
said wall.
4. The weapon magazine boot of claim 3, said wall having outwardly
projecting barbs engaging said sleeve.
5. The weapon magazine boot of claim 1, said sleeve having a
thickened band at the lower edge thereof.
6. The weapon magazine boot of claim 1, said sleeve having a
thickened band at the upper edge thereof.
7. The weapon magazine boot of claim 1 said sleeve having a
thickened lower band at the lower edge thereof and a thickened
upper band at the upper edge thereof.
8. The weapon magazine boot of claim 7, said sleeve and said bands
being integrally formed as a monolithic structure.
9. The weapon magazine boot of claim 1, said sleeve including
finger ridges.
10. The weapon magazine boot of claim 1, said sleeve including
textured areas rougher than adjacent areas.
11. The weapon magazine boot of claim 10, including a base at an
end of said sleeve.
12. The weapon magazine boot of claim 11, said base having a bottom
with a hole therethrough.
13. The weapon magazine boot of claim 12, said hole being elongated
with enlarged open areas at ends thereof.
14. A weapon magazine boot, comprising: a sleeve including
connected sidewalls configured to surround an exposed portion of a
weapon magazine during use of the weapon magazine in a weapon; a
base connected to said side walls at an end of said side walls; and
said sleeve providing an exterior surface of improved grip relative
to a weapon magazine on which it is installed.
15. The weapon magazine boot of claim 14, including at least one
finger ridge provided on at least one of said side walls.
16. The weapon magazine boot of claim 14, including at least one
textured area on the outer surface of said sleeve.
17. The weapon magazine boot of claim 14, said base including a
bottom and a hole through said bottom.
18. The weapon magazine boot of claim 17, said hole being elongated
with enlarged open areas at ends thereof.
19. The weapon magazine boot of claim 14, said base having
thickened the sides; and said weapon magazine boot further
including curved tapered transitions between said side walls and
said thickened sides.
20. A weapon magazine boot, comprising: a molded silicone sleeve
including connected sidewalls configured to surround an exposed
portion of a weapon magazine during use of the weapon magazine in a
weapon; a base integrally connected to said side walls at an end of
said side walls; and said sleeve having at least one of a textured
area and a finger ridge providing an exterior surface of improved
grip relative to a weapon magazine on which it is installed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/245,074 filed Sep. 23,
2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to weapons magazines
and to night vision camouflage. More specifically, the invention
provides a protective sheath or boot covering the exposed portion
of a weapon magazine when the magazine is installed in the magazine
well of a weapon or when being stored in a magazine pouch or
carrier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Weapons magazines are known to be made of smooth surfaced
metal that may be coated to provide some visual camouflage and
protection against environmental elements. However, when observed
with night vision or lowlight systems, the exposed metal portion of
a weapon magazine can be highly detectable, even with existing,
known coatings are used. Detection of a soldier's equipment can be
used to reveal the location of the soldier, even if the soldier is
well-camouflaged personally.
[0004] Further, the relatively smooth outer surface of a weapon
magazine can be difficult to grip and hold securely when removing
the magazine from a carrying pouch, when loading the magazine into
a weapon, when unloading the magazine from the weapon, or when
otherwise handling the magazine. Under the adverse conditions of
combat, including adverse environmental conditions and personal
stress, mishandling a weapon magazine can occur. If a soldier is
wearing gloves, handling can be even more difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a boot, sheath or sleeve
covering the portion of a weapon magazine that remains exposed in a
weapon. The boot can be configured to include a bottom covering the
exposed end of the weapon magazine.
[0006] In one aspect of a form thereof, a weapon magazine boot is
provided with a sleeve configured to surround at least a portion of
a weapon magazine, the sleeve provided in a shape, composition and
configuration to be retained on the weapon magazine during use of
the weapon magazine in a weapon.
[0007] In another aspect of another form, a weapon magazine boot is
provided with a sleeve including connected sidewalls configured to
surround an exposed portion of a weapon magazine during use of the
weapon magazine in a weapon, and a base connected to the side walls
at an end of the side walls. The sleeve provides an exterior
surface of improved grip ability relative to a weapon magazine on
which it is installed.
[0008] In a further aspect of a further form, a weapon magazine
boot is provided with a molded silicone sleeve including connected
sidewalls configured to surround an exposed portion of a weapon
magazine during use of the weapon magazine in a weapon, and a base
integrally connected to the side walls at an end of the side walls.
The sleeve includes a textured area and/or a finger ridge for
improved grip ability relative to a weapon magazine on which it is
installed.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following
detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals
are used to designate like features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magazine boot installed on
a weapon magazine;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the
magazine boot shown in FIG. 1, showing a stage during installation
of the boot on a weapon magazine;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3,
but illustrating the weapon magazine boot fully installed on the
magazine;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
magazine boot installed on a weapon magazine;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of
a weapon magazine boot;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the magazine boot shown in
FIG. 5, but shown from a different angle;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the magazine boot shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a an end view of a modified form of the magazine
boot shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the magazine boot shown
in FIG. 8, taken along line 9-9 of FIGS. 8; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the magazine boot shown
in FIG. 8, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8.
[0020] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including", "comprising"
and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and
equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to FIGS.
1-3 in particular, in a basic form thereof, a weapon magazine boot
100 is shown installed on a weapon magazine 102. Boot 100 includes
a sleeve or sheath 104 surrounding an end portion of magazine 102,
generally that portion that remains exposed even when the magazine
is loaded into a weapon (not shown). Sleeve 104 is generally
closely fitted to magazine 102 so as to remain in place on magazine
102 even as magazine 102 is loaded into a weapon, removed from a
weapon, placed in or removed from carriers or pouches, or otherwise
handled and manipulated. Magazine boots can be made out of various
rubbers and plastics, and may be made of elastomeric material so as
to stretch over and fit snugly around weapon magazines. Sleeve 104
of magazine boot 100 is extruded rubber that can be rolled onto
magazine 102. Sleeve 104 provides improved grip on magazine 102 to
reduce the likelihood of hand slippage as magazine 102 with boot
100 thereon is handled and manipulated. If made of thin-walled
elastic material, sleeve 104 can be installed on magazine 102 even
when magazine 102 is loaded in a weapon by rolling sleeve 104 onto
the exposed portion of magazine 102. The open bottom of sleeve 104
allows access to the end of magazine 102 for cleaning or other
purposes.
[0022] Magazine boot 100 can also include an end cap 106 used
together with sleeve 104 (FIGS. 2 and 3). End cap 106 has a base
108 and an upstanding wall 110 having protrusions or barbs 112
extending outwardly thereof, and can be made of molded rubber or
plastic, for example. End cap 106 fits closely on an end of weapon
magazine 102 and protects the bottom of magazine 102 from debris
while also concealing the bottom of magazine 102 from detection
when viewed under night vision or low light systems. Sleeve 104
surrounds magazine 102 and can be installed from a rolled up
condition as shown in FIG. 2 to an unrolled condition overlying
wall 110 of end cap 106, as shown in FIG. 3. End cap 106 is secured
on magazine 102 and under sleeve 104 by barbs 112 engaging the
inner surface of sleeve 104. With sleeve 104 overlying protrusions
or barbs 112, a bulge area 114 is formed at the end of the magazine
boot, thus further facilitating gripping and minimizing slippage
when magazine 102 with boot 100 thereon is grasped, handled and
manipulated. Base 108 can project outwardly of bulge area 114 to
even further facilitate grasping and handling. End cap 106 can be
removed from magazine 102 for cleaning magazine 102 or other
purposes by rolling sleeve 104 off and away from wall 110. End cap
102 can then be slid off the end of magazine 102 even without
removing sleeve 104 from magazine 102.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a weapon magazine boot
200 installed on a weapon magazine 202. Magazine boot 200 includes
a sleeve or sheath 204 with a thickened lower band 206 which can
overlie an end edge portion of sleeve 204 or, in a preferred
structure therefor, is formed integrally with sleeve 204 by
injection molding. Further, a thickened upper band 208 is provided
at the opposite edge of sleeve 204 from lower band 206. Upper band
208 can overlie a terminal edge portion of sleeve 206 or can be
integrally formed with sleeve 204 as lower band 206 by injection
molding as a monolithic structure including sleeve 204 and bands
206, 208. Upper band 208 at the top of boot 200 provides a sealing
function in relation to the magazine well of a weapon, to inhibit
dirt, debris and other contaminants from entering the magazine
well. Lower and upper bands 206, 208 provide discontinuity in the
outer surface of sleeve 204 to improve gripping and reduce
slippage. Further, however, sleeve 204 can be provided with finger
ridges 210 in one or several areas of sleeve 204 to further improve
gripping and reduce slippage. When made of elastic material, boot
200 can be pulled over the exposed end of weapon magazine 202 even
when magazine 202 is loaded in a weapon. An open bottom on boot 200
allows access to the end of magazine 202 for cleaning. Covering the
major exposed surfaces of magazine 202 reduces the susceptibility
of magazine 202 to detection from night vision and low-light
viewing systems.
[0024] A magazine boot can be formed by injection molding in a
contoured shape to fit a particular weapon magazine. Magazine boot
300 shown in FIGS. 5-7 is slightly arched or curved to slide onto a
curved weapon magazine. Magazine boot 300 can be made of silicone
of approximately 30 durometer by injection molding processes.
However, other materials and materials including silicone of higher
or lower durometer also can be used. Magazine boot 300 includes a
sleeve including shaped side walls 302, 304, 306, 308 configured to
slide on to and surround the lower, exposed portion of a weapon
magazine. It should be understood that the particular
configuration, proportions and curvature shown are merely
exemplary, and to fit a particular weapon magazine other shapes,
proportions and curvatures can be used. Side walls 302, 304, 306,
308 are integrally formed with a base 310 including thickened sides
312, 314, 316, 318 and a bottom 320. Sloped, tapered transitions
322, 324, 326, 328 join side walls 302, 304, 306, 308 to thickened
sides 312, 314, 316, 318, respectively. Finger ridges 330, 332 can
be provided in some or all side walls 302, 304, 306, 308. In the
exemplary embodiment shown, finger ridges 330, 332 are provided
only in side wall 302. Further, roughened, textured or raised
particle reduced slip areas 334, 336 can be provided. In the
exemplary embodiment shown, textured areas 334, 336 are provided
over substantial areas of walls 302, 306, respectively and
overlapping onto adjacent walls 304, 308. It should be understood
that more or fewer such textured areas can be provided, and
textured areas can be provided in other shapes, arrangements and
configurations. Textured areas having raised, pebble-like
projections similar to 40 grit abrasive paper have been found to
work acceptably for improving grip and reducing slippage.
[0025] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a magazine boot 400 similar to
magazine boot 300. Accordingly, magazine 400 includes a sleeve
having shaped side walls 402, 404, 406, 408; a base 410 including
thickened sides 412, 414, 416, 418 and a bottom 420 similar to side
walls 302, 304, 306, 308; base 310; thickened sides 312, 314, 316,
318 and bottom 320 described previously. Sloped, tapered
transitions 422, 424, 426, 428 are provided between sidewalls 402,
404, 406, 408 and thickened sides 412, 414, 416, 418 similar to the
aforedescribed sloped, tapered transitions 322, 324, 326, 328.
Magazine boot 400 further includes finger ridges 430, 432 and can
include textured areas similar to the finger ridges 330, 332 and
textured areas 334, 336 described previously for magazine boot 300.
Bottom 420 is provided with an elongated hole or opening 440 in the
way of an elongated slot which may include enlarged open areas 442,
444 at the opposite ends thereof to permit access to the bottom of
a weapon magazine on which boot 400 is installed without having to
remove magazine boot 400 from the weapon magazine.
[0026] Still other embodiments of the present invention are
contemplated, including a relatively rigid clamshell or locking
boot that can be made of hinged portions using a mechanical hinge
or a living hinge so as to be opened and closed to capture an end
portion of a weapon magazine therein. Accordingly, the boot of such
embodiments can be made of relatively rigid material and/or of
combinations of pliable and rigid materials to achieve the desired
locking and engaging configurations.
[0027] The weapon magazine boots 100, 200, 300, 400 disclosed
herein are less susceptible to detection by night vision or
lowlight vision equipment, including reducing infrared reflection
when viewed with night vision goggles. However, those skilled in
the art will understand that the materials for and the outer
surface configurations of the weapon magazine boot can be selected
to achieve the desired characteristics of camouflage, detection
prevention and grip-ability. It is further contemplated however
that the weapon magazine boot will be removable from the magazine
for needed use, servicing and maintenance of the magazine.
[0028] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
[0029] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *